Brassiere and brassiere accessory especially for lactating mothers

ABSTRACT

A breast receiving cup ( 1 ) of multi-layered construction is provided that includes a structural layer ( 2, 10 ) for operatively maintaining, or assisting in the maintenance of, the basic shape of the cup, and wherein there is laminated to the structural layer a substantially waterproof membrane ( 3 ) that operatively serves to retain moisture on the inside thereof and allow transfer of moisture through the membrane and evaporation thereof on the outside of the membrane. The membrane is preferably an imperforate monolithic membrane that is selected to provide a transfer mechanism for moisture that includes the steps of absorption of moisture on one side of the membrane where there is a higher humidity, diffusion through the membrane, and desorption of moisture on the other side of the membrane where there is a lower humidity. The structural layer is preferably a heat formed moulded foam layer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a brassiere and brassiere accessory especially for lactating mothers, and more particularly, to a brassiere and brassiere accessory that are aimed at preventing moisture from coming into contact with a mother's outer clothing to thereby obviate the formation of wet patches in the outer clothing that can be embarrassing, uncomfortable, and unsightly.

It is to be understood that, in this specification, the term cup is used in a broad sense and includes the pouch formations generally associated with a more elastic type of brassiere typically termed a sports brassiere.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Numerous different brassieres and absorbent pads for use by lactating mothers have been proposed and are available on the market.

Many of these aim at supporting the two breasts in separate, well defined cups each of which may have an opening for providing access to the nipple for a feeding infant. The openings each have a flap for covering the nipple when the breast is not being used for feeding purposes. Many of these are aimed at use in combination with disposable or re-useable pads for absorbing moisture. Such pads tend to become saturated and acquire an irregular bumpy look through clothing. It also requires the user to carry spare pads for use as and when required.

Others, such as some of those described in my earlier international patent application publication number WO 02/080710, may omit such access openings. In such a configuration, the brassiere nevertheless had two well defined cups of generally conventional construction with the distinguishing characteristic that the cups are formed of a permeable fabric such as a suitable knit, for example a suitable Lycra™ fabric, to the inner face of which is laminated a semi-permeable membrane such as a suitably micro-porous polyether urethane membrane. The polyether urethane membrane, being porous, was selected to allow moisture to migrate through the pores in the membrane whilst forming a barrier to uncontrolled flow of liquid such as would otherwise take place in the absence of the membrane.

It is to be noted that the mechanism whereby moisture passes through such a semi-permeable membrane is by migration of liquid molecules through the pores that form small holes in what applicant understands is an otherwise impermeable membrane. Such small holes may tend to blind over time thereby reducing the permeability of the membrane

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a brassiere or brassiere accessory especially for lactating mothers that provides for an alternative mechanism for the dissipation of excess moisture whilst also substantially obviating the formation of wet patches in the outer clothing of a wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of this invention there is provided a breast receiving cup of multi-layered construction that includes a structural layer for operatively maintaining, or assisting in the maintenance of, the basic shape of the cup, and wherein there is laminated to the structural layer a substantially waterproof membrane that operatively serves to retain moisture on the inside thereof and allow transfer of moisture through the membrane and evaporation thereof on the outside of the membrane, the breast receiving cup being characterised in that the membrane is an imperforate monolithic membrane that is selected to provide a transfer mechanism for moisture that includes the steps of absorption of moisture on one side of the membrane where there is a higher humidity, diffusion through the membrane, and desorption of moisture on the other side of the membrane where there is a lower humidity.

In accordance with a second aspect of this invention there is provided a breast receiving cup of multi-layered construction that includes a structural layer for operatively maintaining, or assisting in the maintenance of, the basic shape of the cup, and wherein there is laminated to the structural layer a substantially waterproof membrane that operatively serves to retain moisture on the inside thereof and allow transfer of moisture through the membrane and evaporation thereof on the outside of the membrane, the breast receiving cup being characterised in that the structural layer is a heat formed moulded foam layer.

Further features of these aspects of the invention provide for the breast receiving cup to have an inner moisture collecting layer on the inside of the membrane and a moisture dissipating layer on the outside thereof wherein the inner moisture collecting layer is optionally laminated to the laminate of structural layer and membrane and the moisture dissipating layer is optionally the structural layer itself; for the structural layer to be a heat formed moulded foam layer wherein the monolithic membrane is laminated to the inner surface thereof; for the construction to include an outer aesthetically appealing layer that is also optionally laminated to the laminate of structural layer and monolithic membrane; and for the construction to include an innermost liner layer made of a woven or nonwoven fabric that is inherently hydrophobic so as to operatively serve as a transfer layer between a wearer's breast and the inside of the cup whilst itself remaining substantially dry.

The breast receiving cup defined above may be formed as a brassiere accessory for removable installation in a supporting brassiere, or it may be built into a brassiere as one of a pair of breast receiving cups thereof. In the instance that the cup is made as a removable accessory, the innermost liner could form a part of a brassiere in association with which it is used or the accessory may have its own innermost liner.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is therefore provided a brassiere accessory comprising a cup as defined above.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a brassiere embodying a pair of breast receiving cups as defined above assembled into, or attached to, a torso encircling band adapted to encircle the torso immediately beneath the breasts of a wearer and support, together with a pair of supporting shoulder straps, the breasts of a wearer.

The brassiere provided according to this aspect of the invention may be of a type that provides two well defined cups of generally conventional construction that may embody any suitable or conventional structures or reinforcing means, as may be required, such as, wires, bones and the like.

The brassiere may, in the alternative, be of the type generally referred to as a sports brassiere and may, in that instance, be of the general type that comprises a front panel adapted to operatively extend over a pair of breasts and having a lower edge that is attached to a torso encircling band and an upper edge that terminates in a pair of spaced symmetrically located support zones to each of which is attached a supporting shoulder strap. In this instance the front panel, being the structural layer, may be made of a fabric that has a limited degree of stretch and wherein the lower edge of the front panel has one or more tucks where it attaches to the torso encircling band on each side of a centre thereof so as to define a breast accommodating and supporting pouch serving as a cup on each side of the centre of the panel. It will be understood that the differential in humidity on the inside and outside of the membrane that is required to promote diffusion is created not only by evaporation on the outside but also by body heat on the inside.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood different embodiments thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:-

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of breast receiving cup according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevation thereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the various layers constituting the laminated moulded cup illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating an alternative arrangement of the various layers constituting a laminated cup illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic front elevation of a brassiere being a second embodiment of the invention and formed utilising two of the cups illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3; and,

FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration of a third embodiment of the invention in the form of a more flexible type of brassiere.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, a breast receiving cup (1) of moulded multi-layered construction includes a structural layer (2) in the form of a layer of foam material of a type widely used in the industry and that is typically a blend of polyester and polyurethane. This structural layer operatively maintains, or assists in maintaining, the basic shape of the cup.

Laminated to the structural layer, on the inside thereof, is a monolithic membrane (3) that is selected to provide a transfer mechanism for moisture that includes the steps of absorption of moisture on one side of the membrane where there is a higher humidity, that is operatively the inside; diffusion through the membrane; and desorption of moisture on the other side of the membrane where there is a lower humidity, operatively the outside.

In this embodiment of the invention the monolithic membrane is one that is made of copolyesters and thermoplastic elastomers by the British company Skymark Performance Films Ltd of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, United Kingdom and sold under their trademark “SKYAIR”. Typically the thinner of the range of gauges that is available would generally be adequate for the purposes of this invention, such gauge typically having a thickness of about 15 microns. Another suitable membrane is that sold under the trade reference Porelle P412 by Porvair International Limited.

The cup has an inner moisture collecting layer (4) on the inside of the monolithic membrane that is also conveniently laminated to the membrane and, as that is preferably a polyester or a polycotton. This layer serves to collect moisture and hold it in contact with the monolithic membrane so that transfer of the moisture through the membrane can take place according to the mechanism indicated above.

On the inside of the moisture collecting layer is a hydrophobic innermost liner layer (5) that is also preferably of polyester and is typically an eyelet type of fabric. The purpose served by this layer is to “wick” moisture away from the skin and leave it rather dry, a most desirable property. This innermost liner, being inherently hydrophobic thus operatively serves as a transfer layer between a wearer's breast and the inside of the cup whilst itself remaining substantially dry. It may either be laminated onto the composite laminated structure described above or it could be a loose liner attached to the cup typically around its periphery or at least a part of its periphery.

In this embodiment of the invention the foam structural layer serves also as a moisture dissipating layer on the outside of the monolithic membrane whereby moisture transported through the membrane by diffusion is evaporating off thereby maintaining a lower humidity on the outside of the membrane than exists on the inside. The differential between the humidity on the two sides of the membrane will dictate, at least to some extent, the rate at which diffusion takes place.

Alternatively, and as indicated in FIG. 4, a separate moisture dissipating layer (20) may be provided in the event that the structural layer as inappropriate or in a liquid dissipating properties.

Finally, the laminated structure may include an outer aesthetically appealing layer (6) that is also optionally laminated to the structural layer on the side thereof opposite the monolithic membrane. This outer layer is also preferably of a complementary material, most typically a polyester.

It will thus be understood that the entire layered laminated structure can be moulded to its required shape in one step by a conventional thermal moulding process in which the process is carried out at a temperature selected to result in the various layers becoming bonded together to result in a true laminated structure.

As indicated above, this breast receiving cup may be produced as an accessory for removable installation in a supporting brassiere that could be of any conventional type or especially configured for the purpose. In this instance the cup may be made as a removable accessory and the innermost liner could form a part of a brassiere in association with which it is used or it may have an innermost liner itself.

Alternatively, and as illustrated in FIG. 4, a pair of such cups may be built into a brassiere (7) that may include a torso encircling band (8) adapted to encircle the torso immediately beneath the breasts of a wearer as well as a pair of supporting shoulder straps (9).

Of course, such a construction may embody any required structures or reinforcing means such as, wires, bones and the like.

As a further alternative, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the invention may be applied to a brassiere of the type generally referred to as a sports brassiere. In this instance the relative rigidity of the foam material is absent and the structural layer is provided in the form of a front panel (10) adapted to operatively extend over a pair of breasts. A lower edge of the front panel is attached to a torso encircling band (11) and an upper edge terminates in a pair of spaced symmetrically located support zones to each of which is attached a supporting shoulder strap (12).

In this instance the front panel, being the structural layer, may be made of a fabric that has a limited degree of stretch and wherein the monolithic membrane is laminated thereto. The lower edge of the front panel may have one or more tucks (13) where it attaches to the torso encircling band on each side of a centre thereof so as to define a breast accommodating and supporting pouch serving as a cup on each side of the centre of the panel. In this instance the monolithic membrane is laminated to the inside surface of the front panel and similar inner and outer layers that are described above can be included in the construction.

It will be understood that a brassiere and brassiere accessory made as described above overcomes various drawbacks associated with the prior art that is also outlined above. Also, by appropriate selection of the membrane the resultant cup or brassiere as the case may be is more launderable repeatedly and the use of the monolithic membrane has the advantage that it is devoid of any pores that can tend to blind thereby diminishing the effective transfer of moisture through the membrane.

Still further, the use of any moisture absorbent pads is rendered unnecessary.

It will be appreciated that numerous variations may be made to the embodiment of the invention described above without departing from the scope hereof. 

1. A breast receiving cup of multi-layered construction that includes a structural layer for operatively maintaining, or assisting in the maintenance of, the basic shape of the cup, and wherein there is laminated to the structural layer a substantially waterproof membrane that operatively serves to retain moisture on the inside thereof and allow transfer of moisture through the membrane and evaporation thereof on the outside of the membrane, wherein the membrane is an imperforate monolithic membrane that has a transfer mechanism for moisture that includes the steps of absorption of moisture on one side of the membrane where there is a higher humidity, diffusion through the membrane, and desorption of moisture on an other side of the membrane where there is a lower humidity.
 2. A breast receiving cup of multi-layered construction that includes a structural layer for operatively maintaining, or assisting in the maintenance of, the basic shape of the cup, and wherein there is laminated to the structural layer a substantially waterproof membrane that operatively serves to retain moisture on an inside thereof and allow transfer of moisture through the membrane and evaporation thereof on an outside of the membrane, wherein the structural layer is a heat formed moulded foam layer.
 3. A breast receiving cup as claimed in claim 1 in which the breast receiving cup has an inner moisture collecting layer on the inside of the membrane wherein the moisture collecting layer is optionally laminated to the laminate of structural layer and membrane.
 4. A breast receiving cup as claimed in claim 1 in which the breast receiving cup has a moisture dissipating layer on the outside thereof.
 5. A breast receiving cup as claimed in claim 6 in which the moisture dissipating layer is the structural layer itself.
 6. A breast receiving cup as claimed in claim 6 in which the moisture dissipating layer is a separate layer on the outside of the structural layer.
 7. A breast receiving cup as claimed in claim 1 in which the membrane is laminated to the inner surface of the structural layer.
 8. A breast receiving cup as claimed in claim 1 in which the construction includes an outer aesthetically appealing layer that is also optionally laminated to the laminate of the structural layer and membrane.
 9. A breast receiving cup as claimed in claim 1 that includes an innermost liner layer made of a fabric that is inherently hydrophobic so as to operatively serve as a transfer layer between a wearer's breast and the inside of the cup whilst itself remaining substantially dry.
 10. A breast receiving cup as claimed in claim 1 in which the breast receiving cup assumes the form of a brassiere accessory for removable installation in a supporting brassiere.
 11. A brassiere embodying a pair of breast receiving cups as claimed in claim 1 including a torso encircling band adapted to encircle the torso immediately beneath the breasts of a wearer and support, together with a pair of supporting shoulder straps, the breasts of a wearer.
 12. A brassiere embodying a pair of breast receiving cups as claimed in claim 1 in the form of a sports brassiere comprising a front panel adapted to operatively extend over a pair of breasts and having a lower edge that is attached to a torso encircling band and an upper edge that terminates in a pair of spaced symmetrically located support zones to each of which is attached a supporting shoulder strap wherein the front panel forms the structural layer and is made of a fabric that has a limited degree of stretch and wherein the lower edge of the front panel has one or more tucks where it attaches to the torso encircling band on each side of a centre thereof so as to define a breast accommodating and supporting pouch serving as a cup on each side of the centre of the panel.
 13. A breast receiving cup as claimed in claim 2 in which the breast receiving cup has an inner moisture collecting layer on the inside of the membrane wherein the moisture collecting layer is optionally laminated to the laminate of structural layer and membrane.
 14. A breast receiving cup as claimed in claim 2 in which the breast receiving cup has a moisture dissipating layer on the outside thereof.
 15. A breast receiving cup as claimed in claim 2 in which the membrane is laminated to the inner surface of the structural layer.
 16. A breast receiving cup as claimed in claim 2 in which the construction includes an outer aesthetically appealing layer that is also optionally laminated to the laminate of the structural layer and membrane.
 17. A breast receiving cup as claimed in claim 2 that includes an innermost liner layer made of a fabric that is inherently hydrophobic so as to operatively serve as a transfer layer between a wearer's breast and the inside of the cup whilst itself remaining substantially dry. 